To ask the Prime Minister how many overseas visits were made by officials within his responsibility, and at what cost, in each year since 1997. (151644)

This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Since 1999, the Government have published on an annual basis, a list of all overseas visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500, as well as the total cost of all ministerial travel overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. Information for 2006-07 will be published in the normal way. All travel is undertaken in accordance with the “Civil Service Management Code” and the “Ministerial Code”. As set out in the new “Ministerial Code”, from next year, the list of overseas travel will cover all Ministers.